Anisa & Graeme's Cozy Portland Craftsman

I visited Anisa and Graeme's home in SE Portland on a rainy, gloomy, winter's day. Stepping inside was a lovely escape from gray. You can feel the love that has gone into updating and furnishing this home. It had me wanting to take cello lessons in the bright dining room or cook a 5 course meal in their spaciously renovated kitchen!

The purpose with which things are placed throughout this house indicate homeowners with a keen eye for detail. Anisa is a fashion designer and sells her wares at her Portland shop Makool Loves You. Graeme is a freelance web developer. Together they have created an inspired home. There is a sense of history here that can't be denied. The windows are original to the house and have the character that old windows do. The pine floors and reclaimed wood cabinets in the kitchen give it a rustic quality that doesn't overwhelm, but is very satisfying. The farmhouse sink they've added to the kitchen looks right at home next to their other more modern appliances. There is balance in this house. Old and new, colorful and calm, kitsch and class. The overall effect is a lovely space designed for living.

Our style: A little primitive, a little classic, a little old world, a little industrial, a little eclectic

Inspiration: Old european homes owned by modest folk. I love that the European kitchen is something you take with you when you move

Favorite Element: It would have to be our dining room. The people who lived here before us stripped the paint and stained it. A Russian immigrant who was the second owner of the house added that built in. I think the wood is gorgeous.

Biggest Challenge: Lack of space, a damp basement and no room for a home studio.

What Friends Say: Your house feels so cozy, and comfortable.

Biggest Embarrassment: It's between the garage and the basement, we need to replace the concrete floor in the basement because of the dampness, and the garage needs to be knocked down.

Proudest DIY: The kitchen. We knocked out a wall between the kitchen and the basement and completely remodeled the whole kitchen. The sink was where the stove is and we moved it to under the window. We didn't do the plumbing ourselves but I acted as general contractor so it felt very DIY.

Biggest Indulgence: Wolf Range

Best advice: Just do little bits at a time, work with different contractors until you find one that you like.

Dream source:Get Back, Inc., they don't even list their prices online, but I dream of owning most their site